Material controlling scale



Jan. 5, 1937. J. w. BRYCE MATERIAL CONTROLLING SCALE Filed June 9, 19343 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG 1- so p 5 7 I lNVE TOR AT'ToRNEY Jan. 5, 1937. J.w. BRYCE MATERIAL CONTROLLING SCALE Filed June 9 19:54

a 130 12a 117 R m 126 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a Main ii, 142 to 105 154ATTORNEY Jan. 5, 1937. J. w. BRYCE 2,066,763

MATERIAL CONTROLLING SCALE Filed June 9, 1954 3 Sheets$heet 15 FIG. 8.F|G.9

INVENTOR ATLI'ORNEY Patented 1m. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OF-FlCE2,066,763 MATERIAL CONTROLLING scam Application Juno 9, 1934, Serial No.729,794

16 Claims. (Cl. 249-63) This case relates to automatic weighing mecha-Further, the latter object contemplates that the governing control bythe sensitive load responsive device be electrically operated.

Still further, the sensitive load responsive device is intended to actonly in response to a fraction 01' a minor order of the load applied tothe weighing mechanism and to permit discharge or delivery of thematerial when the weight measured out is accurate to a limit within thesame fraction of the load.

Still another object is to provide an automatically counterbalancing andindicating scale supplementary to the weighing mechanism which measuresout the load for the purpose of indicating in weight units the reactionof said weighing mechanism to the load and to indicate whether theapplied load is over or under weight.

The invention also contemplates recording of the delivered load,recording of the serial number of the load, alternative manual orautomatic recording, automatic recording under control of aforesaidsensitive load responsive device, electric motor operation of thematerial handling means,

novel start and stop means for the motor operation, and an intercontrolbetween the weighing mechanism and the material handling means whichprevents operation of the latter prior to a preliminary and positiveload setting of the weighing mechanism. 7

Other objects and advantages will be brought outin the following partsof the specification and understood from the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a partly sectional view of the com plete apparatus,

Fig. 2is a detail of the clutch release of the driving means for thematerial feed,

Fig. 3 is a detail of the driving means for the material feed, I

Fig. 4 shows a part of the record slip with weight and serial numberrecords of successive loads,

Fig. 5 is a generally schematic showing of the combination of loadresponsive parts,

Fig. 6 is a detail of the record slip feeding and weight printing means,

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus,

Fig. 8 is a section through the settable weighing mechanism,

Fig. 9 is a detail of cam controlling means for setting weights in saidweighing mechanism,

Fig. 10 is a detail of the detent for maintaining the weight settingagainst accidental move ment,

Fig. 11 is a partly sectional view of the material handling or feedingmeans including the material conveyor and the hopper to which. thematerial is fed.

Fig. 12 is a detail of the stop and start keys of the actuating motor ofthe material feeding means.

The entire apparatus, for purposes of the explanation may be dividedinto four main parts or units; the settable weighing mechanism,generally denoted by A in Fig. 5; the sensitive load responsive device,generally indicated by B in Fig. 5; the automatic scale unit, generallydenominated C in Fig. 5, and the material feeding means, generallydenoted by D in Fig. 11.

The settable weighing and counterbalancing mechanism A is preliminarilyset to counterbalance a predetermined load at balance position. Thesetting of mechanismA also positions recording wheels in said mechanismto record the predetermined load. The material feeding means D applies aload simultaneously to the settable Weighing means A, the loadresponsive device B,

and the automatic scale unit C. When the pre-,

determined load is applied, mechanism A is at neutral position, B islikewise at neutral position, and scale C is at zero load position whichindicates that the diiference between the applied load and the loadoffset is zero. When B is in neutral position, it controls, throughelectrical circuits, the stopping of further conveying of material tothe hopper, the discharge of the hopper contents, and the making of arecord from said recording wheels.

Referring to Fig. l, hopper I is pivotally suspended by draft rod 2 froma frame 3 removably attached to the bottom of platform 4. The platformis provided with sub-platform 5 which is suspended by links 6 and 1 fromshort and long levers 8 and 9, both of the third class. Long lever B isconnected at its nose end to draft rod diate lever l I (see Fig. 5).

lever ll, as shown in Fig. l, rigidly carries outside the casing l 2 theusual tare bar and; poise l3 (see my Patent 1,870,233) the poise beingused in the present case to counteract the dead weight of the hopper andother parts, the weights of which are not to enter into the effectiveload. Lever ll has one end connected by tape ill! to even balance leverM which through tape I5 transmits the force of the load to beam ii ofthe settable weighing unit A. The beam 18 has three longitudinallyspaced knife edges l'l, l8 and i8, respectively carrying units order offour weights tens order of four weights 2i, and hundreds order of fourweights 22. Units order weights are individually suspended from fourlevers 23 which are held by springs 24 in individual contact with fourearns 25, tens weights 21 are individually suspended by links 28 fromfour levers which are similarly engaged with four cams 2C and thehundreds order weights 22 are similarly suspended by links from levers29 which follow cams 3B.

Each set of cams is fast to its shaft 3!, the shafts being in the samevertical plane, one above another, and journaled in frame l2. Each shaftcarries a hand knob 33 outside the frame and an indicator plate 35 (seeFig. 8). The shafts also carry inside the frame toothed wheels 35engaged by latch levers 3i which are held in impositive locking contactwith the wheels by springs 38 (see Figs. 8 and 10) to prevent accidentalrotation of the cams.

Each set'of four weights in a denominational order includes one weightof value 1, two each of value 2, and one of value 4.. When the highpoint of a cam is engaged with the lever of a weight, the weight is freeof beam l6. When the low point of a cam engages the lever, the weight isfree of the lever and applied to the beam.

The action of the cams and levers in each order is the same and forpurposes of the explanation, assume that Fig. 9 shows the units order.At zero position the high points of all four earns 25 are engaginglevers 23 and weights 20 are all free of the beam l8. When knob 33 isturned to position indicator 34 at 1, then the lever of the weighthaving a value 1 is in a depressed portion of its cam and the latterweight is now applied to the beam while the other three weightcarryinglevers 23 are still engaged with high points of their cams. When theindicator 34 is at 2, then only a lever carrying a weight of value 2 isin a depression of its cam. At indicator position 3, weights 1 and 2 aredeposited on beam l5, at 4". position, weight 4 alone is deposited, andso on in combinations indicated in Fig. 9 to provide values of "1 to 9applied to the beam.

Each shaft 31 has a pinion 40 coacting with-a vertical rack 41 whichdrives a pinion 42 on one of three nested shafts 43. Each of shafts 43carries a type wheel 44 for printing "0 to "9. When a shaft 3! of anyorder is rotated to a position for depositing a certain value of weightson the beam [6, pinion 40 raises rack 4| to correspondingly rotatepinion 42 and the connected shaft 43 (see Figs. 5 and 8) to position theprinting wheel 44 thereon for printing a number denoting the value ofthe weights deposited. Thus, if a 2 weight is deposited in the hundredsorder, 2. 3 weight in the tens order, and a 9 weight in the units order,then the printing wheels 44 will be set to print 239.

Beam ll transmits the force of the load in hot per i to the control unitB and automatic scale unit C by means of a tape 41 parallel to tape H8and connected at its upper end to a factor lever 48. One end of thefactor lever is connected to tape or ribbon 49 which rocks pendulums 50and intermediate member 5| in proportion to the load. The member 5|carries rack segment 52 which rotates the pointer 53 to indicate theload in pounds on dial 54.

The other end of the factor lever 48 is connected by tape 55 to apendulum lever 56 which through link 5! is connected to an oppositelyrocking pendulum lever 58.

The length of factor lever 48 from tape 41 to tape 55 is, in the presentcase, nine times the length of the lever from tape 41 to tape 49.Therefore, the force transmitted by lever 48 to tape 55 is one-ninth theforce transmitted by the lever to tape 49. The pendulum levers 5G and 58have a maximum range toeither side of a balance or neutral positionproportional to a lb. load in the hopper. Therefore, the levers 56 and58 may be made light and accurately and sensitively responsive to smallfractions of loads less than a single pound. The automatic scale unit 0has a capacity of 500 lbs., in the present case, and is graduated inpounds.

The suitability of unit B as a control unit, compared to unit C, may bebrought out by the following analysis. Settable weighing mechanism Aopposes the load in the hopper and tends to neutralize its effect ontape 41. Thus, the force of mechanism A is applied to intermediate.lever H in opposition to the force of the load in hopper l ultimatelyapplied through rod III to beam ll.

The difference between the opposed forces of unit A and of the hopperload on beam ll may therefore be considered as the effective loadtransmitted to tape 41. The latter through factor lever 48 transmitsone-ninth this effective load to unit B and eight-ninths to unit C.Therefore unit B may be made lighter and movable to greater extentsunder a small load than unit C. In other words unit B isa small capacityscale with a greater degree of responsiveness to a load, even to afraction of a pound load, than scale B which is of far greater capacityand the movements of which under a small fraction of a pound may hardlybe noticeable due to frictional and momentum factors.

Further, the factor lever 48 transmits the designated proportion of saideffective load to unit B without interference by unit C; that is, theaction of unit C has no effect on the action of unit B and therefore thelatter does not pertake of any errors or sluggishness in the action ofunit C. To understand this, consider that so far as unit B is concerned,lever 48 may be considered-as fulcrumed at the point of its connectionto tape 48 of unit C and whether the tape has taken one position oranother or is fixed, it still remains the same fulcrum point andanything which retards or influences the movement of this fulcrum pointis of no effect on unit B.

. Therefore, unit B which is light, sensitive, and

rapidly responsive to small changes of load is suitable for controllingthe feeding of material to hopper I and the discharge of materialtherefrom, as well as other auxiliary operations, to within an accuracyof less than a pound.

The action of unit B under loads is as follows: When there is no load inthe hopper and counterbalancing weights 20, 2|, and 22 are free of beamii, the pointer 53 of unit C stands at zero and pendulum levers 56 and58 of unit B are at neutral or balance position. If now the weight 28corresponding to 1 lb. is applied to beam I6, the latter will .rockdownwardly and through lever I4 and tape II8 pull up on beam II toreduce the force transmitted by tape 41 to factor lever 48. The forceacting on pendulum levers 56 and 58 being reduced, the latter descenduntil the left end of lever 48 engages stop 68 (see Fig. 5). The lever56 will have rocked counterclockwise and a contact blade 6i thereon willengage the under weight stationary contact blade 62 to close contactpoints 63.

Since the left end of lever 48 is engaged with stop 68 under influence"of the 1 lb. weight on beam I6, additional weights applied to beam I6will not further move the left end of the lever 48 and pendulums 56 and58 will remain set in position without response to the additionalmovement of beam I6.

When the load in the hopper I is of the predetermined weight value, thenthe hopper load acting through beam II will pull down on tape- 41 withthe same force as the weights on beam I6 acting through beam I6, leverI4, and beam II pull up on the tape. Factor lever 48 will then return toinitial, neutral, or zero position, and correspondingly, pendulum 56 andits contact blade 6I will move to neutral position and contact points 63will open.

If the load in hopper I exceeds the predetermined value by more than1b., then the resultant force on tape 41 will be downward to depresslever 48 to such an extent as to rock pendulum 56 clockwise until itengages stop 64 (Fig. 5) after which further excess of load in thehopper will have no effect on unit B. When pendulum 56 is in contactwith stop 64, blade 6| will engage over-weight contact blade 65 to closements to prevent the repetition of excess feed oi" material to thehopper.

Control unit B acts through under and overweight contacts 63 and 66,respectively, to control operation of the material feeding unit D to anaccuracy or tolerance of pound from predetermined weight. It isunderstood that the tolerance may be. varied by varying the sensitivityof unit B and may be proportional to the maximum weight of materialwhich is to be measured out. Thus, if the predetermined load is not toexceed 10 lbs., then the weights 28, 2I, and 22 may respectivelyrepresent one-hundredths of pound order, tenths of pound order, andpound order, automatic scale unit C may correspondingly have anautomatic capacity of 10 lbs., and control unit B given a range oflessthan one-hundredth pound over or under and be correspondingly madelight and sensitive enough to control the correct weight to a toleranceof less than a hundredth of pound.

The structure of the material feeding part D of the machine is animprovement on the means disclosed in Patent 993,069. Referring to Figs.1, 2, 3, and 11, the horizontal shaft 18 rigidly carries at the rightthe screw conveyor H which conveys the material from the supply bin 12through the duct 13 to the hopper I which is open at the top. The shaft18 is releasably rotated bymotor M (see Fig. 1) connected by belt 14 topulley 15 which is freely rotatably mounted on the shaft. Pulley 15 isformed in the face directed towards the-conveyor with three notches 16any of which may receive the nose 11 of a clutch lever 18. The lever 18is pivoted to a projection 18 rigid with the shaft 18 so 'that the shaftrotates with the clutch lever. When the predetermined load is in hopperI, conveyor 1I must stop feeding material to the hopper and rotation ofthe shaft 18 must cease. Accordingly, clutch lever 18 must be releasedfrom pulley 15 as soon as the predetermined load is in hopper I. Engaginthe tail of the clutch lever is one end of a lever 88 extending at rightangles to the shaft 18 to which it is pivotally connected at 8I. A

through appropriate openings in levers 18 and 88 and is surrounded by acoil spring 83 which urges the lever 18 in a direction to maintainclutch engagement with the pulley 15. Lever 88 rotates with shaft 18 andits upper or free end (as viewed in Fig. 2) normally passes freely belowthe horizontal arm 85 of bell crank lever 86, the other arm 81 of whichis vertically disposed ,and provided with an armature plate 88 forcoaction with double coil magnet 88. When the coils 89 are energized,they rock bell crank lever 86 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 11, againstthe resistanceof spring 98, thus lowering the free end of arm 85 intothe path of rotation of the free end of lever 88.

The latter then strikes the arm 85 and is cammed along the side of thearm by continuedrotation of shaft 18 to pivot relative to the shaft in aclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2). This movement of lever 88forces the tail of lever 18 inwardly against resistance of spring 83.The head 11 of lever 18 is thereby moved out of the notch 16 in flywheel15 and shaft 18 and conveyor 1I cease rotating and feeding material tothe hopper I. When magnet 89 is deenergized, spring 98 lifts arm 85 freeof lever 88 and spring 83 forces the lever 18 to rock clockwise (asviewed .1 Fig. 11) and shift shaft 18 to engage pulley 15 for againcausing rotation of the conveyor H to feed material to hopper I.

Energization of magnet 88 is controlled by the sensitive load responsiveunit B and the. manner in which this is done will be clear from thedescriptions of the various circuits in connection with Fig. 7.

Before motor M can be set in operation, the drop weights 28, 2I, and 22must first be applied in desired combinations to the beam I6 of thesettable weighing mechanism-A. Each rack 4.I (see Fig. 5) carries a leafspring contact 92 which at zero position of the rack engages the lowerinsulated end of a stationary contact bar 83.

From the side of the currentssupply line a through contacts 86, magnetcoil 86, motor M, and any one or more of the parallel contacts 82- nowset o terlal COIN/"3Y6;

plained.

i i hen the operator releases the start key, con tacts open, but he-notor circuit is held closed through paths which lay-pass contacts 90.These paths closed when magnet coil 38 is energized by the startingcircuit. Energization of magnet closes contacts '3 the circuit to themotor is then made from the side of the line through parallel pairs ofnormally closed contacts and C 8 and through contacts When a drop weightis applied to beam it, it causes pendulum lever 56 or" control unit B toswing counterclockwise and under-weight con tacts 83 to close, and whenthe material in hopper Ill overbalances the lever I6, contacts 55 close,as described previously. Closing of contacts 63 or 80- completes acircuit through a. locking magnet ice as follows: From the side of theline through magnet I00 (and lamp I 0I, in parallel therewith) andthrough either contacts 63 or 66 to the side of the line. Lamp IOIlights to indicate to the operator that the scale is not in balance.Magnet I00, when energized opens normally closed contacts I02 to preventoperation of the clutch control magnet 09, the hopper dumping magnet I03(see Figs. 7 and 11), the automatic weight printing magnet I04 and theserial number printing magnet I05, (see Figs. 5 and 7).

When the load in the hopper balances the opposing force of the dropweights within a tolerance governed by the sensitive load responsivecontrol unit B (in the present case lb.) as hereinbefore explained, thencontact arm GI is in neutral position with both contacts 03 and 08 open.Consequently magnet I00 is deenergized and contacts I02 close. Thisforms a. circuit through a magnet I06, as follows: from the side of theline through contacts I02, contacts I01 closed by magnet coil 90 of themotor circuit, and through magnet I06 to the side of the line.

Energization of magnet I00 closes contacts I00 to establish thefollowing circuit: From the side of the line, through the magnets 09,I03, I04, and I05, in parallel, through contacts I00, and through amagnet I09 to the side of the line.

Energization of magnet 80 declutches the conveyor shaft I0 from themotor drive, as already described to stop feed of material into thehopper.

Energization of magnet I03 operates linkage II2 against resistance ofspring II3 (see Fig. 11) to open the bottom II 4 of the hopper and discharge its contents.

Encrgizatlon of magnet I05 automatically effects serial number printing.Referring to Fig. 5, magnet I05 rocks armature II5 clockwise inopposition to spring IIO to in turn rock a. plate IIO loose on shaftII'I counterclockwise. The latch II9 on the plate IIG engages a lug I20on disk I2I fast to shaft II! to rotate the latter likewise incounterclockwise direction and meanwhile stretch the spring I22connected to the shaft An arm I23 fast to the shaft pivotally carriesprinting hammer I24 which is held in rear position relative to arm I23by a spring I25. When, on counterclockwise movement of latch I I0 aboutshaft 1, it strikes a stud I20, it is cammed in a counterclockwisedirection about its own pivot I21 on the plate H0 to release lug I20 andpermit spring I22 to return to normal and rock shaft I i clockwise withhammer l24. dur ng clockwise movement of the sh a s ""3 and stops but toinc goes further, stretc I25, and s he record sheet R a to force it athe printing ribb the serial pe wheels I3I. T number of the is thusprinted at side of s feet it a Fig. 4).

The serial numbel wheels I3I are advanced one step after each printingoperation. To effect this, a ratchet wheel I32 (see Fig. 5) is securedto the unit order wheel Hi. When the plate H6 is rocked counterclockwiseby energization o net I05, through a connecting linkage I33 a pawl I34counterclockwise to move the nose of the pawl past the next tooth of theratchet wheel. After the printing operation, magnet I05 is deenergizedand spring II8 rocks plate IIG clockwise, similarly causing pawl I34 torock clockwise to rotate wheel I32 one step in the same direction. Thisadvances the unit serial number printing wheel I3I one step. Anysuitable transfer, such as a Geneva transfer, may be provided betweenthe unit wheel and the higher order wheels.

Energization of magnet I04 causes the weight record to be printed fromtype wheels 44 at the left side of sheet R and in line with the serialnumber printing. The operation of the hammer I35 (Fig. 6) of the weightprinting means Is eifected in the same way as in the serial printingmeans.

The line spacing of sheet R is effected by operation of ratchet wheelsI30 and I30 (see Figs. 6 and 8). Ratchet wheel I30 is operated by meanscontrolled by magnet I04 while wheel I30 is operated by duplicate meanscontrolled by magnet I05. The ratchet wheels are of the same size andtheir teeth are spaced similarly so that when both magnets I04 and I05are energized the sheet will be fed one predetermined amount withoutcrimping. When only one magnet is energized, as will be later explained,then only one wheel I30 and I30 will be positively actuated and thesheet will be fed the predetermined amount. Since both operating meansfor wheels I30 and I30 are duplicates, only the means for operatingwheel I30 under control of magnet I04 will be described.

Referring to Fig. 6, the counterclockwise movement of the plate II 0'when magnet I04 is energized is transferred by linkage I30 to a. pawlI31 which rides over one tooth of the ratchet wheel I30. Upon return ofplate H0 after magnet I04 is deenerglzed, pawl I31 also returns androcks ratchet wheel I30 clockwise. Friction wheel I30 fast-to theratchet wheel I30 is thus rotated and by coaction with friction rollerI40 feeds the sheet R one line space.

There are occasions when automatic printing of the serial number andweight may not be desired. In that case, the magnets I04 and I05 aredisconnected from the circuit by moving a member I42 (see Fig. 7) to thedotted line position to disconnect both terminals I43 and I44 from thecircuit lines I40 and I40 leading from the magnets. If only automaticweight printing is to be cut out, then the member I42 is moved untilterminal I 43 is in circuit with line I 46. If only automatic serialnumber printing is to be stopped then the member I42 is moved untilterminal I44 engages line I45.

When automatic printlng is cutout thc operator may manually operate theprinting mechanism. For this purpose, the armature lever II5 has a knobhandle I41 at the free end which projects outside frame l2 of thesettable weighing unit A and which may be grasped by the operator to berocked clockwise.

To prevent manual printing operation before the control unit B is inneutral position which occurs when the predetermined load is in hopperI, looking magnet I 00 energized by closing of contacts 63 or 66, aspreviously described, attracts latch lever I50 to locate its nose I 5|in the path of clockwise movement of the lug I 52 at the upper end ofthe armature lever II5. Thus, the lattercannot be rocked clockwise untilthe magnet I00 is deenergized by the control unit B reaching neutralposition. To prevent too rapid deenergization of magnets 99, I03, I04,and I05, a dash pot I54 (Fig. '7) is connected to the lower contact I09operated by magnet I06. The opening of contacts I09 is delayed by theresistance of dash pot I54 to return of the lower contact I09 upondeenergization of the magnet I06. This insures sufflcient time formagnets 99, I03, I04, and I 05 to properly eilfect their functions.

It should be noted that normally magnets 99, I03, I04, and I05 cannot beenergized unless the motor is in operation. This intercontrol betweenthe motor operation and the magnet operation is effected by placingcontacts I01 in the circuit of magnet I06 as described, these contactsI01 are closed by magnet 96 in the motor circuit and therefore unlessthe latter circuit is made, the

magnet I06 cannot be energized.

When it is desired to stop motor operation, the operator depresses stopkey I56 (see Figs. 7 and 12) to open previously mentioned contacts 99which are in one of the motor circuit paths described as by-passing thestart key contacts 95.

Opening of contacts 99 is of itself ineffective to stop motor operationbecause the motor circuit is still made through the other by-passcontacts 99. Contacts 99 are controlled by magnet I09 which is in seriesin the circuit of magnets 99, I03, I04, and I05 and energized only whenthe predetermined load is in hopper I as detected by control unit B.when the magnet I09 is energized it opens contacts and if stop keycontacts 99 are also open, the motor circuit 'will be open through allpaths and the motor will stop. By the above means, the stopping of themotor by the operator is not eflected until the end of a weighing andprinting cycle and therefore the hopper always discharges a full load.

Since the stop key I56 is depressed at any point of the cycle, it mustbe held down until magnet I09 is energized at the end of the cycle. Forthis reason, a latch lever I59 (Fig. 12) is provided the right hand endoi. which is moved by spring I59 over the insulating block I60 on thestop key when the latter is depressed. The stop key is thus held downuntil the operator presses start key 94. When the latter is depressed,the insulating block I6I at its lower end engages the left end of thelatch lever I59 and rocks the latter counterclockwise to permit thelower spring blade I62 carry one of stop key contacts 99 to move up andclou contacts 99.

A brief summary of operations follows: The operator'turns knobs 33 orunit A to set the drop weights 29, 2|, and 22 on beam I6 according tothe predetermined load to be fed to and discharged from hopper I. Asthis is done, the contact arm 9| of unit 13 moves to the left and closescontacts 63 to energize magnet I00 and light signal lamp IOI.

When indicator plates 34 adjacent knobs 33 indicate the desired setting,the operator depresses start key 94 to close contacts 95 and completethe circuit of motor M. Closing of the mo-- tor circuit starts the motorand energizes magnet 96. Magnet 96 closes contacts 91 to by-pass thestart key contacts 95. The motor M rotates shaft 10 and conveyor 13 onthe shaft to feed material into the hopper I. As the load in the hopperincreases, the beam I6 of unit A gradually rises and pointer 53 ofautomatic scale unit C moves towards 0 position, thereby indicating toan inspector or to the operator that the apparatus is operatingproperly. The gradual action of beam I6 and its taking positionsproportional to the load in the hopper is rendered possible by theconnection to the unit C the automatic counterbalancing means 50 ofwhich is within the maximum range of the loads. Accordingly, beam I6does not act in the same manner as an ordinary even balance beam scalewhich moves either to under or over position and the inertia of whichmust be overcome to bring it to neutral position.- The force necessaryto overcome the inertia results in overloading the usual beam and thiserror is avoided in the present construction by the gradual approach ofthe beam to balance position under control of unit C.

When the predetermined load is in hopper the contact arm 6| moved toneutraLposit-ion, contacts 63 open, and magnet I00 is deenergized.Deenergization of magnet I00 permits contacts I02 too close andestablish a circuit through relay coil 6.

Energization of the latter closes relay contacts I09 to close a circuitthrough magnets 99, I03, I 04, I05, and I09. Magnet 99 causes clutchlever 19 to disconnect shaft 10 from the motor drive, thus stopping thefeed. Energization of magnet I03 causes discharge of the hoppercontents. Energization of magnets I04 and I05 effects weight and serialnumber printings on sheet R. Energization of magnet I99 opens contacts99 in one of the start key by-pass circuits of the motor and if stop keycontacts 99 are open b eaks themotorcircuit completely and stops themotor. As soon as the hopper is emptied, the beam I6 lowers and pendulumlever 56 moves counterclockwise to again cause contacts 63 to close.Magnet I00 is thereby energized to open contacts I02 and causedeenergization of magnets 99,103, I04 and I05. This is the initialcondition and clutch lever 19 again clutches the shaft III to the motordrive to feed material to hopper I.

The unit C is adapted to weigh and indicate loads directly when thematerial feeding mechanism is not in operation. The settable weighingmechanism is then set to zero load offsetting position by removing allthe counterweights from beam I6 by manipulation of knobs 33. An articleplaced on platform 4 then acts through beam II, tape 41, lever 49, andtape 49 to swing pendulums 59 and pointer 53 according to the weight ofthe article and pointer 53 indicates the weight on dial 54.

Should it be desired to make a record of this weight, a key I19 (seeFig. 7) is pressed in until notch III therein is engaged by pin I12urged by flat spring I13 into the notch. The key I19 is therebyimpositively locked in position where its forward end engages blade I 14carryin'gmne of relay contacts I91 to hold contacts I91 closedindependently of relay magnet 55 in the motor circuit. Thus even thoughthe latter is open, contacts it? will be closed. Now after the load isplaced on platform 4, knobs 33 are turned to set weights on beam l6returning pointer 53 of unit to zero position. When the pointer iswithin lb. under or over from the zero position, both pairs of contacts63 and B6 of unit B will be open and therefore magnet I00 deenergized topermit contacts Hi2. to close. A circuit will then be closed from theline, through contacts Hi2, contacts it? (now closed by operation of keyH0), and relay 268 to the line. Energization of relay W8 closes contactsHi8 which, as previously described closes a circuit through magnet 04which automatically effects a printing of the weights from type wheels44 set according to the setting of counterweights 20, ii, and 22.

When the material feeding means is to be set in operation, the key in isfirst retracted to permit contacts [01 to open until the motor circultis established.

With respect to features of the scale mechanisms, per se, not hereinclaimed, there is to be no presumption of dedication as these featuresare embodied in my copending application, Serial No. 555,715, filedAugust '7, 1931.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with theillustrated embodiment, it is considered that changes or variations maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from theinvention. I therefore intend to be limited only by the objects ofinvention and by the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a main load responsive and counterbalancingmechanism, a load receiver for operating said mechanism, means forfeeding material to the latter load receiver, an auxiliarycounterbalancing mechanism separate from the main counterbalancingmechanism and comprising a sensitive weight responsive and variablyresistant counteracting device controlled by the load on said receiverand displaced from its normal counterbalancing positionby an initialportion of the counter-balance force of the mechanism for detectingwhether said main counterbalancing mechanism is counterbalancing apredetermined load on the receiver, and means operable under control ofthe sensitive device upon its detecting that said predetermined load iscounterbalanced by said main counterbalancing mechanism for cutting offthe feed of material to said receiver.

2. In combination, load responsive and counterbalancing mechanismadiustably settable for counterbalancing different loads, meansauxiliary to the counterbalancing mechanism and controlled for operationaccording to the setting of said mechanism, an actuator for saidauxiliary means independent of the load force, and means for preventingoperation of said actuator prior to setting of the counterbalanclngmechanism away from its zero load counterbalancing position.

3. In combination, counterbaianclng mechanism, material feeding meansfor applying a load to the counterbalancing mechanism, manipulativedevices for variably setting the counterbalancing mechanism tocounterbalance a predetermined load applied by the material feedingmeans, and means controlled by the manipulative devices for preventingoperation of the material feeding means prior to the manipulativedevices effecting a setting of the load responsive and counterbalancingmechanism away from a zero position.

4. In combination, load counterbalancing mechanism including a leverhaving a movable fulcrum, weight responsive means connected to saidfulcrum to resist movement thereof, a receiver operatively connected tosaid mechanism to impose a load thereon and to simultaneously impose aload on said lever to move said fulcrum against resistance of the weightresponsive means, means for feeding material to the receiver, a magnetfor controlling operation of the material feeding means controlled bythe position of the movable fulcrum to energize the magnet for causingthe material feeding means to cut off the feeding to the receiver whenthe load applied to the counterbalancing mechanism is a predeterminedamount, and means for retarding deenergization of said magnet when theload is removed from the counterbalanclng mechanism, following theinterruption in the feeding operation.

5. In combination, weighing mechanism, a material feeding means forapplying a load to the weighing mechanism, a driving means for thematerial feeding means, means operable at will for stopping operation ofthe driving means, means controlled by the weighing mechanism forcausing the material feeding means to apply a predetermined load to themechanism, and means for rendering the stopping means ineffective untilthe predetermined load has been applied.

6. In combination, weighing mechanism, a load receiver operativelyconnected to the mechanism imposing a load thereon, recording means, adevice capable of manual operation for taking a record from therecording means, a means automatically controlled by the weighingmechanism when a predetermined load in the receiver is acting on themechanism for automatically operating the record-taking device, andmeans for preventing automatic operation of said device to permit thedevice to be manually operated for taking the record, and meanscontrolled by the weighing mechanism for preventing manual operation ofsaid device until said predetermined load is on the receiver.

7. In combination, weighing mechanism, a load receiver operativelyconnected to the mechanism for imposing a load thereon, material feedingmeans for feeding material to said receiver, an electric motor foroperating the material feeding means, a circuit for said motor,recording means settable under control of the weighing mechanism torecord a load of material in the receiver, means for taking a recordfrom the recording means, and means controlled by the motor circuit forconditioning the record taking means to operate under subsequent controlof the weighing mechanism.

8. In combination, weighing mechanism, means for applying apredetermined load in increments to said mechanism, means auxiliary tothe mechanism, an electrical circuit for causing operation of theauxiliary means when the total predetermined load has been applied, astop device operable at will for preventing operation of the circuit,and means controlled by the weighing mechanism for rendering the stopdevice ineffective to prevent operation of said circuit during theaddition of fractions of said load to the mechanism and before saidtotal predetermined load is fully applied.

9. In combination, weighing mechanism, means auxiliary to the weighingmechanism. an

actuated position to cause the circuit toopen and operation of theactuator to stop, and a start device operated to re-close said circuitand while so operated releasing the latch to permit the stop device toreturn to ineffective stopping position.

10. In combination, weighing mechanism, means for applying a load to themechanism, means auxiliary to the scale, an electrical circuit forcausing operation of the auxiliary means when a predetermined load isacting on the weighin mechanism, a stop device operable at will forpreventing operation of the circuit, and means controlled by theweighing mechanism for rendering the stop device ineffective to preventoperation of said circuit until after said predetermined load has beencompletely applied to the weighing mechanism.

11. In combination, weighing mechanism, means for applying a load tosaid mechanism, means auxiliaryto the mechanism, an electric J. actuatorfor the auxiliary means, a circuit for controlling the actuator, currentsupply lines, a pair of paths for the circuit between the supply lines,a manual stop device for opening one of said paths while the remainingpath is still closed, and means operative upon'the completion of theweighing operation for opening the other path to thereby completely opensaid circuit.

12. In combination, weighing mechanism, a device auxiliary to themechanism, controlling means for controlling operation of said auxiliarydevice, a plurality of disabling means, both of which must be operatedfor disabling the controlling means, one of said disabling meanscomprising a stop device separate from and independent of the weighingmechanism and the other being under control of the weighing mechanism.

13. The inventionaccording to claim 12, said controlling meanscomprising an electrical circuit, and at least one of said meanscomprising a switch in the circuit ineffective to open the circuit untilthe other means is operated.

14. In combination, load counteracting mechanism, means for applying aload to said mechvalve opening means.

anism, a sensitive weight responsive and resisting device operativelyconnected to said mechanism to be moved to a neutral position when theapplied load and the counteracting force of said mechanism are equal,recording means set under control of said mechanism according to thecounteracting force exerted thereby, record-taking means for taking arecord from the recording means, and means under control of thesensitive device and operative when the latter is at the balancing forceof said mechanism and the force transmitted thereto by the transmittingmeans, and control means operable by aforesaid device for stopping thematerial feeding by said material feeding means when the load applied tothe trans-' mitting means is either equal to said predetermined load oris less than aforesaid predetermined load within a. certain toleranceweight.

16. In combination, load responsive and counterbalancing mechanismsettable to counterbalance a predetermined hopper load, a hopperconnected to said mechanism to apply the load to the mechanism andhaving a discharge valve, a sensitive variable weight counterbalancingdevice having a neutral equilibrium position and predetermined under andover positions to either side of its neutral position, means connectingthe sensitive device to the counterbalancing mechanism and hopper forresponding to the diflerences between the hopper load and the presetcounterbalancing force of said mechanism, means for opening saiddischarge valve to discharge the hopper load when the load equals saidpredetermined hopper load, and means controlled by the sensitive deviceat either its predetermined under or over position for preventingoperation of the JAMES W. BRYCE.

